Effects of Se nanoparticles supplementation on growth performance, hematological parameters and nutrient digestibility of Labeo rohita fingerling fed sunflower meal based diet

The aim of the present study is to assess the effects of selenium nanoparticles on the growth, hematology and nutrients digestibility of Labeorohita fingerlings. Fingerlings were fed with seven isocaloric sunflower meal-based diet supplemented with different concentrations of nanoparticles naming T1 to T7 (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 mg/kg), with 5% wet body weight while chromic oxide was used as an indigestible marker. After experimentation for 90 days T3 treated group (1mg/kg -1Se-nano level) showed the best result in hematological parameters (WBC’s 7.97 ×103mm-3, RBC’s 2.98 ×106 mm-3 and Platelet count 67), nutrient digestibility (crude protein: 74%, ether extract: 76%, gross energy: 70%) and growth performance (weight gain 13.24 g, weight gain% 198, feed conversion ratio 1.5, survival rate 100%) as compared to the other treatment groups. Specific growth rates were found significantly higher in T5 than in other groups. The present study indicated positive effect of 1 mg/kg Se-nanoparticles on growth advancement, hematological parameters, and nutrients digestibility of L. rohita fingerlings.

Use of phytase and citric acid supplementation on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings fed on canola meal based diet

Fishmeal; being a limited and costly feed ingredient is continuously been substituted with locally available plant proteins. However, the occurrence of anti-nutritional factors in plant meal suppresses its potential to be fully replaced. Therefore, in this study we aimed to study the synergistic effects of dietary additives like citric acid and phytase enzyme supplementation on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. Canola meal (CM) was used as a test ingredient to replace fishmeal (FM) as; 0%, 25%, 50% and 75%. These four diets were further supplemented by varying levels of phytase (0 and 750 FTU kg-1) and citric acid (0% and 2.5%) to formulate total sixteen test diets as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8, T9, T10, T11, T12, T13, T14, T15 and T16. Each treatment contained three replicates; applied to fish groups having 15 fingerlings each; following 3×3 factorial arrangement. 1% of chromic oxide was added as an inert marker. Maximum weight gain% (288%) and the lowest value of FCR (1.07) were recorded when fish was fed on diet T12 as compared to fish fed control diet (T1). Similarly, optimum nutrient digestibility values such as crude protein (77%), crude fat (84%) and gross energy (70%) were noted on same level. It was concluded that 50% canola meal can optimally replace fishmeal when supplemented with phytase and citric acid at the levels of 750 FTU kg-1 and 2.5%, respectively.

The use of exogenous enzymes to optimize gut function in pigs

Exogenous enzymes are used in pig diets to improve the availability and digestibility of some non-accessible nutrients. As result of this enhanced digestion, short fragments of these molecules may become available in the distal foregut and the hindgut and modulate microbiota composition, gut barrier integrity, and overall animal health. This chapter reviews the effects of different exogenous enzymes (carbohydrases, phytases, proteases and lipases) on nutrient digestibility, gut microbial ecology, and barrier function and immunity of pigs at different ages (sows, weaned piglets, growing/fattening pigs). Exogenous enzymes are usually included into feeds as blends so they can complement each other’s activities and further improve the accessibility to non-digestible structures. Exogenous enzymes used in feed manufacturing for more than 30 years, initially to improve the digestive function of non-digestible nutrients (i.e. fibre, phytic acid, etc.), more recently other indirect actions on the regulation of gut microbiota and gut health have gained interest.

Microbiological services delivered by the pig gut microbiome

The gut microbiome plays a fundamental role in regulating pig health and growth. Understanding the functions performed by the microbiome is vital when considering it as a target to improve pig health and growth, a pursuit driven by the increasing regulation of traditional means of disease control and growth promotion. This chapter explores the structure, diversity and functions of the pig gut microbiome, focusing on the role of the resident bacterial communities. It examines their relationships, interactions, and contributions to the host, ranging from the production of antimicrobial substances and prevention of pathogen colonisation to improvement of nutrient digestibility and the production of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and vitamins. The chapter also reviews bacterial communication and the antibiotic resistome of the pig gut, outlining how they may be targeted/manipulated to reduce antibiotic resistance and promote improved gut health.

Nutrient Digestibility, Microbial Fermentation, and Response in Bacterial Composition to Methionine Dipeptide: An In Vitro Study

It is well known that the methionine dipeptide (MD) could enhance the dairy cows milking performance. However, there is still a knowledge gap of the effects of MD on the rumen fermentation characteristics, microbiota composition, and digestibility. This experiment was conducted to determine the effect of different nitrogen sources with a total mixed ration on in vitro nutrient digestibility, fermentation characteristics, and bacterial composition. The treatments included 5 mg urea (UR), 25.08 mg methionine (Met), 23.57 mg MD, and no additive (CON) in fermentation culture medium composed of buffer solution, filtrated Holstein dairy cow rumen fluid, and substrate (1 g total mixed ration). Nutrient digestibility was measured after 24 h and 48 h fermentation, and fermentation parameters and microbial composition were measured after 48 h fermentation. Digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) in the MD group at 48 h were significantly higher than in the CON and UR groups. The total volatile fatty acid concentration was higher in the MD group than in the other groups. In addition, 16S rRNA microbial sequencing results showed MD significantly improved the relative abundances of Succinivibrio, Anaerotruncus, and Treponema_2, whereas there was no significant difference between Met and UR groups. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed the relative abundance of Succinivibrio and Anaerotruncus were positively correlated with gas production, NDF digestibility, ADF digestibility, and acetate, propionate, butyrate, and total volatile fatty acid concentrations. Overall, our results suggested that the microbiota in the fermentation system could be affected by additional nitrogen supplementation and MD could effectively enhance the nutrient utilization in dairy cows.

The Effects of Different Levels of Citric Acid on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility and Gastrointestinal pH of Weaned Piglets

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of citric acid (CA) on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility and gastrointestinal pH of weaned piglets. Methods: A total of 120 weaned piglets with an initial BW of 7.15±0.01 kg, were randomly divided into four groups including control treatment each with three replicates of 10 piglets each. Each group was supplemented with 0.5% (control group), 1%, 1.5% and 2% CA in the basal diet, respectively. Result: The results showed that the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and average daily gain (ADG) of added 1% CA group were significantly higher than that of 0.5% group (P less than 0.05). Dietary CA significantly improved the utilization rates of crude protein, calcium and phosphorus (P less than 0.05), while there was no significant difference between adding 1% and 1.5% CA (P greater than 0.05). Compared with the control group, adding CA effectively reduced the pH of the stomach, duodenum jejunum and ileum contents and adding 2% CA were significantly lower than those in other groups (P less than 0.05). Therefore, the addition of 1.0% CA in the diets of weaned piglets is suitable.

The effect of synbiotic through feed and drinking water on growth performance and nutrient digestibility of Tegal duck

Synbiotics are a combination of probiotics and prebiotics that have a positive effect on livestock performance. The method of giving synbiotics as a growth supplement needs to be studied to get the best results. This study aimed to investigate the effect of administering synbiotic (a mixture of Lactobacillus casei and porang tuber extracts (LCPE) in water or as feed supplement on performance and nutrient digestibility of Tegal duck. The research used a total number of 240-day old ducks with an average body weight of 47.84 ± 6.32 g. The ducks were weighed and distributed into 24 groups. Two experiments (I and II) were carried out simultaneously in the same cage and time. Each experiment used 120 ducks. Ducks were adapted from the age of 1 to 14 days. Parameter data were measure in ducks aged 15 to 42 days. Trial I included 3 groups of dietary synbiotic (0, 10, 20 ml/kg) through feed, while In trial II, the ducks were fed synbiotics (0; 10; 20 ml/L) through water drinking for four weeks. The observed variables included growth performance and nutrient digestibility. The mixture of Lactobacillus casei and glucomannan from porang tuber extract improved nutrient digestibility and duck performance. The best performance and nutrient digestibility is LCPE 20 ml/L drinking water.